So, Charlie is nearly two - not that you'd know it, to see him with his squeaky green frog hanging out of his mouth, playing carry frog round the table to cries of "big, strong boy!" just as he did at 9 weeks old. : Apart from cocking his leg, and and increased desire to sniff everything, I always think Charlie remains extremely puppyish in his behaviour. His ability to follow cues has got a bit better, but his general attitude to life is one of a puppy. He doesn't really like adult dogs all that much (there are some exceptions), and seeks out puppies to play with at every opportunity. But one thing he has started doing this week when out and about is having a pee, then scratching the ground with his back legs. I thought "oh, ok". Since I long replaced the lawn with slate chippings, I don't care. What's it all about though? Spreading scent further, I guess. Evidence he might start to grow up a bit soon? Hopefully...
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee I think it distributes scent from the paw pads, plus disturbed ground has its own scent that lasts for quite a long time (and is refreshed with rain) so, yes, it's about creating a great big scent marker. Obi does it after Number 2s and Number 1s - always delightful to be showered with dirt as an added bonus to the privilege of picking up your dog's poo....
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Ok....we haven't reached extra scent marking after a poo yet. Got that to look forward too. :-\
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Harley started doing that sometimes after a wee after seeing next doors two male labs do it ???
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee My one Lab does the scratching the ground after pee and poo and I often get covered in earth when picking up the poo! Younger Lab who is just 3 doesn't do it at all. I think it has something to do with scent marking as suggested.
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Hmm...I haven't bothered to deter him. Maybe I will if it progresses to earth showers while picking up poo!
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Yep watch out when Charlie scratches the ground after a pee or poo, the earth showers are pretty spectacular I don't think bitches do it though, Hattie never has. x
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee It does rather spoil the hair do, clods of earth nestling there ;D
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Scott seems to take great delight in scratching soil all over his little brother and Scout takes it . However when Scout, who has only just started scratching in the last few months, does it to Scott he really doesn't like it and tries to hide ;D
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee I had to brush Lizzie off and empty out the buggy occasionally when I hadn't managed to keep here out of the line of fire ;D
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee [quote author=Stacia link=topic=9569.msg138099#msg138099 date=1421702061] It does rather spoil the hair do, clods of earth nestling there ;D [/quote] Hehehehehehe ;D
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee My brother's lab x Jack Russell always used to do it but I always assumed it was a terrier thing and was some kind of instinct to cover their business. I had no idea the little madam was spreading scent! Inca sometimes does it too big it's more of a light scratch than a earth shower.
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Pongo does it after a poo, rarely in his own garden, nearly always when he is on more unfamiliar territory. It is definitely something about spreading scent from paw pads.
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Mmm....he doesn't do it after a poo, that might be because he STILL runs for his treat after doing a poo (I told you he was puppyish... : ), wouldn't be hard to have him come for a treat after a pee...although expensive in treats, since he's a typical "water everything" young boy....still, I think I'll head this one off as a habit...
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee [quote author=charlie link=topic=9569.msg138096#msg138096 date=1421702025] I don't think bitches do it though, Hattie never has. x [/quote] 'O' yes they do my 2 older girls definately throw some earth up
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee I thought it was a boy thing too. Oh, ok, it's an all dog thing. No-one has suggested it means my juvenile delinquent is about to grow up and become sensible... ;D ;D ;D
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Simba rarely does this...in fact, I'm struggling to recall him doing it at all....
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Hi, I have had 3 girls and they have never done it. My 2 boys always have. I guessed it was a scent thing as they don't really do it at home. My last dog was 70kg and current dog is 50kg now that's a lot of earth moving
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9569.msg138148#msg138148 date=1421709724] No-one has suggested it means my juvenile delinquent is about to grow up and become sensible... ;D ;D ;D [/quote] Uuummmmmmm
Re: Scratching the ground after a pee Kenzi does this and has done for the past 6 months or so, oddly though sometimes she will walk about 10-15yards away and then do it, so not sure if it's related to scent or just 'in-built'.
